“What a great honor to be recognized by the people you work with. I was surprised with this award,” said White, who was asked to leave his hosting chores in the event for a while, as Race talked about his accomplishments and contributions to CNMI sports.

White was one of the founders of the Basketball Association on Saipan. He represented the CNMI at the Pacific Games in 1979, and coached in the first Oceania Tournament, when our team beat New Caledonia. Later, he took up the whistle, and officiated games for more than 30 years, including several gold medal matches at the Pacific games. He has served as NMASA's President since 2002, and was instrumental in the association’s successful bid to take over the management and operation of the newly improved Oleai Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, Sakisat was also surprised with his selection.

“I did not expect to get this honor early. It’s a privilege and honor to be in the company of the great athletes and officials in the CNMI,” said Sakisat.

Sakisat was enshrined to the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding performance in both baseball and fastpitch and slow-pitch softball for the past three decades. In fast-pitch softball, he was named MVP six times, dominated every statistical category in the league, and played multiple positions. The San Roque resident, who helped the CNMI won a gold medal in the 1998 Micronesian Games in Palau, is also admired by his peers for his sportsmanship on and off the field.

Sakisat also took individual awards in baseball, winning the triples title (2008) and home runs (2005) and was named Pitcher of the Year (2007) and Golden Glove awardee (2003) in the Saipan Major League (now Saipan Baseball League). He also gained a sportsmanship award in SML.

Based on the statistics gathered by Barnes, chair of the NMASA’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Sakisat had a batting average of .405, which is fourth all-time in the SML, and he also made it to the Top 10 in triples, home runs, and slugging percentage.

The two women enshrined to the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame did not make to the awards ceremony, as both are off-island. However, Lisua, who was Olopai’s teammate in fast-pitch softball, accepted the award on behalf of the latter, while Barnes received Chong’s trophy.

Chong was considered as one of the top volleyball and basketball players in the CNMI for two decades. She was the first-ever recipient of the NMASA Female Athlete of the Year award, getting the recognition in 1982. Chong was among the best players in interscholastic volleyball and basketball leagues on Saipan, leading Mount Carmel School to championships in both sports for three straight seasons (1975 to 1977).

She also represented the CNMI in the Micronesian Games (both basketball and volleyball) on three occasions (1990, 1994, and 1998) and suited up for the Commonwealth teams that participated in the South Pacific Games in Western Samoa in 1983 and in New Caledonia in 1987.

As for Olopai, she was recognized as among the Top 3 pitchers in the CNMI during the late 60s to 70s. Barnes described her as an unhittable pitcher because of her smooth motion and speed. Olopai led the women's fast-pitch league in ERA and strikeouts.

Last Modified on 27/02/2014 10:37

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